Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
Year 857. On the ship towards Paradis. Captain's cabin.
Reiner reminisced of the first time he sailed towards Paradis. Marcel, Bertholdt, and Annie. The four of them were just little kids set out to do the devil's task. He remembered how calm the sea that day was, how Marcel was trying to keep Berthold from throwing up. Annie looking over the deck, alone with her thoughts. Reiner was shocked at what his father told him earlier in Liberio's port. "You're an Eldian devil, I can't be seen with you or your mother! Get out!" Tears started to flow down his face. "I am a hero, I am gonna save the world from those island devils." He kept repeating to himself to drown his father's words.
"Wake up!" A hard slap landed on Reiner's back
"Huh?!"
"We're almost near the port, you better get ready," Jean said.
Reiner was daydreaming while looking over the warm and quiet sea only to be interrupted by, now one of his closest friends, Jean.
"What's on your mind, Reiner?" Asked Armin.
"Nothing... It's just that it's been so long since I've been here. And everything I did here It's all coming back to me."
"Don't try to think about it. What happened in the past is over, there is nothing we can do to fix it..." Annie told Reiner in a reassuring tone.
"I know what you're feeling Reiner. Don't let it get to your head." Pieck knew what Reiner was going through and he tried to comfort his childhood friend.
Reiner looked on and saw that he was in a room full of people that cared and loved him. He had no reason to be afraid.
Connie bursts into the room after vomiting for what seemed liked hours.
"I shouldn't have eaten those oysters" Connie murmured
"Oi! You're staining my suit!" Jean told Connie. Connie to sick to care about what his friend said, kept on leaning on Jean's back coincidentally putting more stains on Jean's jacket. Jean aggravated by this, stood up to shout at Connie. Harsh and loud words flew across the room. Connie couldn't care less as to what Jean was saying. He was too dizzy to care.
Reiner looked at the two and smiled.
"HMMMMMMMMM!" the engine roared. They finally arrived at Paradis. Reiner looked out the window once more to see armed personnel, military police, and another sigil... He looked once more and he could now just make out the symbol of the queens guard. "Looks like we got a crowd."
"Armin are you sure that Historia will keep to her promise and protect us from the Paradisians?"
"Historia promised me that in the letter, and besides Historia will never betray us you should know that about her," Armin said.
"Armin, the last time I saw her was when she was still named Krista and was some soft quiet girl. Not the queen of the largest power in the world right now."
"I guess you're right. But Hisu never changed she's still that sweet and kind girl. And I know that she'll do everything her power to protect her friends."
"Historia... I guess I wasn't the only one that had hidden secrets" Reiner murmured
Reiner was now the chief commander of the remaining Marleyan forces, much healthier and lean, austere in looks and aura. Kinder and much more true to himself. He was 24 but he looked 21, funny how that worked since when he was 21 he looked like he was 30.
The group went down the hull of the ship and into the dock. Reiner saw a blonde girl wearing clothes only a queen was fit to wear but it was not showy. It gave a sense of majesty with it also being down to earth. And the girl that was wearing it was beautiful as ever. Blue eyes that rival the shining sea's color, Blonde hair as bright as the sun. Things Reiner first noticed when he looked at her. He realized that this truly wasn't Krista or some girl anymore. This was a woman. A pretty one at that he told himself.
"Historia." Armin greeted Historia knowing that she cannot be too expressive in her emotions as the remaining members of Eren's supporters were present in the military.
Before Historia can respond her royal aid stepped in and said:
"Welcome saviors of humanity, I welcome you back to Paradis, your home. The allied Eldian forces have put on a ceasefire for a discussion of an armistice between the remaining Marleyan forces and the queen's royal court. As per the request of Queen Historia you should be residing for 7 days in her farmhouse and its local areas. Accommodations would be provided to you 6 for the 7 days you reside on this island. Armin Arlert, Annie Leonhart, Jean Kirstein, Pieck Finger, Connie Springer, and Commander-in-chief Reiner Braun. We welcome you back to Paradis."
While the aide was talking Historia looked at her friends and saw how much they grew. All of them were still taller than her, she also saw a new face, Pieck. She wanted to hug them individually and welcome them with her brightest smile. But that wasn't fit for a queen. "Commander-in-chief Reiner Braun..." She heard the aide say. 'Reiner?'
A carriage arrived to pick up the group.
She didn't see the blonde male because Reiner was at the back of the group. When the carriage picked the group up she could finally see Reiner's face and body. Hair as bright as the sun's rays, a face that screamed intimidation and discipline. She noticed that he was more mature now, A little taller and leaner. Historia glanced at Reiner, amazed at how much he has changed. Reiner looked back. Golden eyes pierced Historia's baby blues. The facade of the responsible queen started to crumble. As her face was now turning red. Historia immediately looked away to hide her red cheeks.
Reiner saw and felt captivated by the blue of Historia's eyes. Sparking something in him that he had left 7 years ago on this island. Armin called him to get in the carriage and was sent back to reality.
She waited until their carriage had gone. She collected her thoughts and rode in her own carriage following the one that came before.
"So besides the armistice, I hear we're celebrating Krista's birthday."
"Krista?" Reiner asked.
Armin looked at Reiner and said "That's the name of her daughter. She named her after the fake name that she used when we were still classmates."
"I didn't know Historia had a child," Reiner asked precariously
"Historia had a baby with one of the farmsteads on her farm, she told us that he used to bully her when they were young. But they eventually got closer after Historia became a queen."
"Huh. It's somehow strange how she would marry someone that bullied her when she was a kid."
Armin was bewildered by his statement "Well It's been a long time since you have last seen Historia, she changed."
Jean added on to the conversation "I mean, Reiner you're basically unrecognizable from the Reiner that was here 7 years ago, I bet Historia has already forgotten you."
"Historia could never forget Reiner and I'm sure Reiner could never forget Historia! Remember how much they stared at each other when we were still in the training corps." Connie said with a whimsical grin
Unbeknownst to Reiner, he was starting to blush. Memories of the training corps days suddenly went back to Reiner. Memories of flirting and side glances. He remembered how kind and sweet Historia was to everyone. How he wished that he wasn't a warrior so that he can sweep Historia away and marry her. Dreams of living in a cottage in some secluded place, while their kids played in the grass. He knew back then that it was impossible; even more so now.
"That's all behind me now." Reiner said while trying to hide his blush. "She's a completely different person and so am I."
The carriage started to slow down and stopped. They finally arrived to Historia's farm.